Alice In Chains Essentials

Alice In Chains are one of grunge's darkest and most original bands. Their initial lineup—spotlighting the slithering harmonies of the late Layne Staley and the sludgy shredding of guitarist Jerry Cantrell—blended alt-metal, acoustic blues and melodies rich in Middle Eastern flavour: “Them Bones”, from 1992's Dirt, drowns creeping power chords in bleak atmospherics; “Grind”, from a few years later, is gravelly suffocation. Reborn in 2009 with singer William DuVall, their output remains tethered to existential dread while staying grounded in hard rock riffs and skilful songcraft.